Enabling access to a secured wireless local network without user input of a network password

• US 9,350,725 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2014
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sposato, Stephen, Meng, Kevin, Hu, Cheng-Hong
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANG, KENNETH W
• Application Number:
  US14/310,252
• Publication Number:
  US 20140304788A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/45 Structures or tools for the administration of authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices

Abstract

A method includes identifying, at a security device of a secured wireless network, a wireless-enabled device that is not authorized to access the secured wireless network. The method also includes sending an access request message directed to a messaging address in response to identifying the wireless-enabled device. The access request message includes information that identifies the wireless-enabled device includes a first selectable option to allow access to the secured wireless network without requiring user input of a network password associated with the secured wireless network via the wireless-enabled device. The access request message also and includes a second selectable option to deny access to the secured wireless network.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

identifying, at a security device of a secured wireless network, a wireless-enabled device that is not authorized to access the secured wireless network;

receiving, at the security device from the wireless-enabled device, user input of identification information for a user of the wireless-enabled device, wherein the user input does not include a network password for the secured wireless network;

sending, from the security device, an access request message directed to a messaging address in response to the user input, wherein the access request message includes the identification information, includes a first selectable option to allow the wireless-enabled device access to the secured wireless network without requiring user input of the network password via the wireless-enabled device, and includes a second selectable option to deny the wireless-enabled device access to the secured wireless network;

receiving a response to the access request message at the security device; and

responsive to the response indicating selection of the first option, send an encryption key from the security device to the wireless-enabled device to enable the wireless-enabled device to communicate encrypted communications via the secured wireless network.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to access a configuration page of the security device;

providing access to the configuration page; and

receiving a selection of an active mode via the configuration page, wherein the active mode enables the security device to identify the wireless-enabled device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to access a configuration page of the security device;

providing access to the configuration page; and

receiving a selection of an access restriction via the configuration page.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to access a configuration page of the security device;

providing access to the configuration page; and

receiving input to change the network password via the configuration page.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to access a configuration page of the security device;

providing access to the configuration page; and

receiving a selection to require entry of a password by a recipient of the access request message to view content of the access request message.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising, responsive to the response indicating selection of the first selectable option, adding data that identifies the wireless-enabled device to a list of devices that are allowed access to the secured wireless network.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second selectable option includes a sub-option that allows selection of a third selectable option to add the wireless-enabled device to a black list.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the access request message includes a third selectable option to enable restricted access to the secured wireless network.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising, responsive to the response indicating selection of the third selectable option:

adding first data that identifies the wireless-enabled device to a list of devices that are allowed access to the secured wireless network; and

adding second data that indicates an access restriction for the wireless-enabled device to the list.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the access restriction includes a time limitation, a bandwidth limitation, a content filter limitation, an access duration limitation, an access logging limitation, a content type limitation for downloads, or a content type limitation for uploads.

11. A system comprising:

a processor configured to control access to a secured wireless network;

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising instructions executable by the processor to;

identify a wireless-enabled device that is not authorized to access the secured wireless network;

receive, from the wireless-enabled device, user input of identification information for a user of the wireless-enabled device, wherein the user input does not include a network password for the secured wireless network;

send an access request message directed to a messaging address in response to the user input, wherein the access request message includes the identification information, includes a first selectable option to allow the wireless-enabled device access to the secured wireless network without requiring user input of the network password via the wireless-enabled device, and includes a second selectable option to deny the wireless-enabled device access to the secured wireless network;

receive a response to the access request message; and

responsive to the response indicating selection of the first option, send an encryption key to the wireless-enabled device to enable the wireless-enabled device to communicate encrypted communications via the secured wireless network.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the access request message is a password protected message that requires entry of a password by a recipient to enable display of the identification information, the first selectable option, and the second selectable option.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the messaging address is associated with an administrator of the secured wireless network.

14. The system of claim 11, further comprising a display device coupled to the processor.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the wireless-enabled device comprises a security system controller, a lighting system controller, an air conditioning system controller, a heating system controller, a printer, a computer, an appliance, or combinations thereof.

16. A computer-readable storage device comprising instructions, that when executed by a processor configured to control access to a secured wireless network, cause the processor to perform operations including:

identifying a wireless-enabled device that is not authorized to access the secured wireless network;

receiving, from the wireless-enabled device, user input of identification information for a user of the wireless-enabled device, wherein the user input does not include a network password for the secured wireless network;

sending an access request message directed to a messaging address in response to the user input, wherein the access request message includes the identification information, includes a first selectable option to allow the wireless-enabled device access to the secured wireless network without requiring user input of the network password via the wireless-enabled device, and includes a second selectable option to deny the wireless-enabled device access to the secured wireless network;

receiving a response to the access request message; and

responsive to the response indicating selection of the first option, sending an encryption key to the wireless-enabled device to enable the wireless-enabled device to communicate encrypted communications via the secured wireless network.

17. The computer-readable storage device of claim 16, wherein the access request message is a password protected message that requires entry of a password by a recipient to enable display of the identification information, the first selectable option, and the second selectable option.

18. The computer-readable storage device of claim 16, wherein the computer-readable storage device is incorporated in a set-top box device.

19. The computer-readable storage device of claim 16, wherein the messaging address is associated with an administrator of the secured wireless network.

20. The computer-readable storage device of claim 16, wherein the access request message is sent as a short messaging service message, an electronic mail message, an instant messaging message, a display screen pop-up message, or a combination thereof.